When using .45 cast lead bullets for the 50 yard line, how much deviation in bullet weight is acceptable?

Currently, I shoot JHP for the .45 long line. But I want to try 200 grain cast lead SWC for 50 yards. I did some internet research and narrowed bullet suppliers to two companies. I slugged my barrel and ordered 0.453" diameter bullets from each. One order has come in. I took one hundred bullets from this order and weighed each one on an electronic scale that has +/- 0.02 grain accuracy. These are the results.

I just played with my ballistic calculator and had to add some variables for reduced MV on the 205 gr vs 200. Using 700 fps for the 200 and 690 fps for the 205 ( this is probably your max variable) the POI difference between the lightest and heaviest bullets at 50 yds is a whopping .27 inch. If you load hotter then 700 fps that difference drops. I don't think there will be a problem.

A couple of caveats - difference in weight of a few grains might not be noticable in accuracy unless it represents bullet voids, or comes from a smaller diameter sufficient to affect accuracy. Best thing is to test them at extremes so you are not worrying about it.

personally I weigh my cast bullets out into .75 variance lots.. I usually get a couple of lots with enough bullets to be worth while loading for the long line.. the rest go into the 25 yards pile with one that have obvious voids or are really light or heavy from the norm into a practice lot.. if you sort bullets based on visible inspection and weight it will matter.

If you purchase cast bullets in bulk that are already greased and sized, weighing them is a waste of time, in my opinion. Are you checking the bullet weight or the amount of grease?

I still cast my own 45 bullets. I no longer weigh them. I give them a thorough visual inspection with a magnifier. For serious match ammo, I check the as cast bullet diameter with a micrometer to ferret out the ones that did not fill the mould correctly or the mould did not close fully.

Should you decide that casting is not for you, the only way to sort out the bad bullets is to buy them from a vendor that will offer them "as cast". Now you begin to sort out the good from the bad.

Yes, you will need to purchase a bullet greaser. I have several brands and for my Match ammo, I use the Star. I also use a fitted nose punch. No nose first base punch sizing for me.

joy2shoot wrote:When using .45 cast lead bullets for the 50 yard line, how much deviation in bullet weight is acceptable?

Currently, I shoot JHP for the .45 long line. But I want to try 200 grain cast lead SWC for 50 yards. I did some internet research and narrowed bullet suppliers to two companies. I slugged my barrel and ordered 0.453" diameter bullets from each. One order has come in. I took one hundred bullets from this order and weighed each one on an electronic scale that has +/- 0.02 grain accuracy. These are the results.

So my question is, is 3.5 grain variation acceptable for the long line? I really do not want to get into weighting and sorting bullets.

Thanks.Thomas

What kinds of 50 yard 10 shot groups are you getting from the machine rest with the bullets without weighing them or separating them? If you're getting 10 ring size groups, you are good to go! Usually if the bullets look good, especially the base they are usually good. Certainly don't worry about trying to get those amazing 1" and 1 1/2" groups. Any good bullets should group well within the 10 ring at 25 yards. If your bullets don't group well at the long line, use them for the short line and buy some good 185 gr. JHP and load them just for the long line. You won't have to inspect them or weigh them and they will always group very well out of an accurate pistol. That way, as some have hinted, you can spend more time training and less time worrying and sorting bullets.

Thanks for the input. These bullets were purchased from a caster. Therefore, they are already lubed and sized. I weighed one hundred of them to get an understanding of bullet weight variation and posted my results here with the question if the variation I found matters at 50 yards. Since I just got them, I have not actually shot them yet. My primary concern was do I need to worry about the weight deviation. Based on Len's reply, I think the answer is No.

I also took one bullet, weighed it (203.94 grains), removed the lube and re-weighed it (203.48). It does not appear the lube adds significant weight.

I do not cast and I really do not want to get into casting and I also do not want to get into weighing, sorting, washing, re-lubing, etc. I currently shoot 185 gr JHP for the long line but wanted to try lead. It appears I should stick with JHP or go to a polymer coated lead bullet. It seems polymer coating would elevate the fine lead residue discussed by Jerry.

I am trying to determine if my 50 yd results would be noticeably better with LSWC compared to JHP. I will find out in a week or two when I am able to go to the range. Based on slugging my barrel, I need a lead bullet diameter of 0.453". I was not able to find swaged bullets in that diameter.